Reflections from AIP Publishing’s Open Access Week 2025 panel discussion
As part of this year’s Open Access Week programming, AIP Publishing hosted a thought-provoking panel The Impact of Technology & Politics on Knowledge Ownership: A Cross-Industry Discussion examining how technology, policy, and publishing models influence global access to knowledge. Moderated by Sara Rouhi, Director of Open Access and Publishing Innovation at AIP Publishing, panelists included George Cooper, independent researcher; Josh Sendall, Acting University Librarian & Keeper of the Brotherton Collection, University of Leeds, UK; and Terri Teleen, President, Americas at Emerald Publishing. The conversation highlighted the evolving nature of “ownership” in scholarly communication, now shared among researchers, publishers, libraries, funders, and the public, and the collective responsibility to preserve the integrity of the research record, while understanding one’s roles and responsibilities in the research ecosystem.
Panelists explored how shifts in politics and business priorities can shape access to knowledge and the sustainability of open research. Cooper described the scholarly record as a “contested digital resource,” while Sendall emphasized the role of libraries as “civic infrastructure for truth,” supporting discovery and preservation amid a rapidly changing information landscape. Teleen reflected on how funding models and economic incentives have influenced the open access movement’s original goals, perhaps even undermining them, underscoring the importance of aligning growth with equity and quality.
Trust emerged as a central theme throughout the discussion. Participants noted the growing need for transparency in publishing practices, resilience against misinformation and censorship, and careful stewardship as artificial intelligence becomes more embedded in research communication. They discussed the importance of distinguishing between academic freedom and freedom of expression, scholars’ different rights and responsibilities depending on the nature of their speech, and of maintaining governance structures that uphold integrity and public confidence in scholarly work.
The panel concluded with a shared call for collaboration across the scholarly ecosystem. Ideas included establishing multi-stakeholder frameworks to address issues such as AI use and research integrity, improving transparency around access constraints, and reaffirming the principle that the scholarly record is a global public good. The conversation served as a reminder that openness and trust in science depend on collective stewardship, a commitment shared by all who contribute to and rely on research.